<p>High-density polyethylene (HDPE), ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) and blends thereof are used to produce ternary and quaternary conductive polymer composites (CPCs) containing carbon black (CB), graphite (G), carbon fiber (CF) and selected mixtures thereof to discern if polymer blends and mixed fillers yield appreciable advantages over CPCs composed of single polymers and/or single fillers. The effects of polymer blend composition and filler type, concentration and composition on electrical conductivity, composite morphology, mechanical properties and thermal behavior have been examined and correlated to establish meaningful structure-property relationships that can facilitate the rational design of efficient CPCs. Enhanced conductivity due to double-percolation is observed in ternary CPCs containing CB or G, whereas the concept of bridged double percolation is proposed to explain substantial conductivity increases in quaternary composites.<P>

<p>&#09The energy distribution of electrons transported through intrinsic AlN films was directly measured as a function of the applied field and film thickness. The electron energy distribution featured kinetic energies higher than that of completely thermalized electrons. Transport through films thicker than 95 nm and applied field between 200 kV/cm - 350 kV/cm occurred as steady-state hot electron transport represented by a Fermi-Dirac/ Maxwellian energy distribution. At higher fields (470 kV/cm), intervalley scattering was evidenced by a second peak corresponding to the first satellite valley in AlN. Transport through 80 nm thick layers revealed the onset of quasi-ballistic transport.&#13 &#09 From these measurements, saturation velocities between 1.2 and 1.5x10 cm/s and a mean free path of 5.1 nm were determined under steady state conditions. Overshoots as high as five times the saturation velocity were observed and a transient length of less than 80 nm was deduced.&#13 &#09 Two field-emission states of single-walled carbon nanotubes were identified. The state yielding 10 times increased emission current was attributed to the presence of adsorbates on the nanotubes as confirmed by electron emission measurements at different background pressures. In the high current state, field-emitted electrons originated from states located up to 1 eV below the Fermi level, as determined by field-emission energy distribution measurements. This suggested that adsorbates introduced a resonant state on the surface which enhanced the tunneling probability of electrons. The adsorbed states were removed at high applied electric fields, presumably due to ohmic heating caused by large emission currents. This adsorption/desorption process was completely reversible.&#13 &#09 Using the Duke and Alferieff model, and a one-dimensional Fowler-Nordheim scheme, we demonstrated that adsorption enhances the field emission from single-walled carbon nanotubes through elastic resonance tunneling. As anticipated from this model, we observed FEED peak shifts towards lower energies and a symmetric peak shape in the energy distribution. The difference between the work function and the electronic binding energy of the non-perturbed state involved in the resonance was 0.3 eV ?± 0.2 eV, thus the state lied close to the Fermi level of the carbon nanotubes. <P>

<p>The development of highly formable aluminum alloy sheets is of great interest to the automotive industry, because they provide a lightweight alternative to steel sheet for structural panels. Finding ways to improve the formability of Al alloys is the main subject of the present investigation. This issue is tackled from two angles. First, a possibility of fabricating a two-phase material containing newly discovered ductile intermetallic compounds is considered. The Al-La-Mg system is thermodynamically optimized accompanied with a differential thermal analysis (DTA) experiment to validate the optimization results. A new approach is introduced to deal with the incompatibility of phase models in binary Al-La and La-Mg systems. This approach is successfully applied to the Laves and B2 phases in the binary La-Mg system. A utilization of the thermodynamic description of the Al-La-Mg system to model solidification at low and high cooling rates shows that it is impossible to fabricate such a two-phase material by casting.</p> <p>Second, the effect of small additions of cerium and lanthanum on Fe-bearing intermetallics in a wrought heat-treatable Al alloy is examined. Fe-containing intermetallics are known to deteriorate the formability of Al alloys by acting as void nucleation sites. It is found that in alloys containing 0.1-0.2 wt. % of lanthanum, the fraction of less harmful Chinese script particles is pronouncedly higher than that in the reference alloy. In addition to this advantage, much smaller grains are seen in the alloy with 0.2 wt. % La. Despite similarities between La and Ce, the latter metal neither modifies the microstructure nor noticeably affects the gram size. Hot rolling and solutionizing nullifies the beneficial effect of small La additions resulting in no improvement in the formability of the alloy.</p> <p>In order to understand how lanthanum affects the phase portrait of the alloy, a socalled direct thermal analysis experiment is performed. Solidification paths are derived for slowly cooled alloys by coupling the results of this investigation with microstructural observations. The likelihood of two modification mechanisms is speculated using these solidification paths.</p> / Thesis / Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Tissue engineering and regenerative medicine aim to develop materials that mimic some of the characteristics of the tissue they are replacing and control the growth and proliferation of cells. Despite exceptional advances in the range and quality of materials used, much remains to discover about the processes regulating interfaces between cells and their surroundings, or at cell-material interfaces. In order to study and control such interactions, scientists have produced engineered matrices aiming to mimic some of the feature of natural extra-cellular matrix (biochemistry, geometry/topography and mechanical properties). In order to pattern 2D-nanofibers on relatively large areas and throughput, allowing comprehensive biological studies, we developed a nano-fabrication technique based on the deposition of sparse mats of electrospun fibres with different diameters. These mats are used as masks to grow cell resistant polymer brushes from exposed areas. After removal of the fibres, the remaining brushes define a quasi-2D fibrous pattern onto which ECM molecules such as fibronectin can be adsorbed. Chapter 2 includes details of the techniques used to produce and characterize the fibrous nanopattern. Chapter 3 is focused on cell phenotype observed on the different nanofibres sizes. Adhesion assays showed that cell spreading, shape and polarity are regulated by the size of fibres but also the density of the nanofibres, similarly to previous observations made on circular nanopatterns. We then focused on the study of focal adhesion formation and maturations on these nanofibres and the role of key proteins involved in the regulation of the adhesion plaque: integrins and vinculin. Cells expressing different integrins were found to sense the nanoscale geometry differently. Vinculin sensing is the topic of Chapter 4. Although vinculin recruitment dynamics was affected by the nanofibrous patterns and focal adhesions arrange differently on the nanofibres, this protein does not seem to mediate nanoscale sensing. In Chapter 5, we finally focused on the role of the actin cytoskeleton as a direct sensor of nanoscale geometry. A gradual decrease in stress fibre formation was observed as the nanofibres dimensions decrease. Live imaging also demonstrated that the geometry of the extracellular environment strongly affects cytoskeleton rearrangement, stress fibres formation and disassembly. We identify the role of cytoskeleton contractility as an important sensor of the nanoscale geometry. Our study provides a deeper insight in understanding cell adhesion to the extracellular environment and the role of the matrix geometry and topography on such phenomena, but also raises questions regarding the more detailed molecular sensory elements enabling the direct sensing of nanoscale geometry through the actin cytoskeleton.

The ability to extract accurately the stress intensity factor and the T-Stress for fractured engineering materials is very significant in the decision-making process for in-service engineering components, mainly for their functionality and operating limit. The subject of computational fracture mechanics in engineering make this possible without resulting to expensive experimental processes. In this thesis, the Finite Block Method (FBM) has been developed for the meshless study of interface stationary crack under both static and dynamic loading in bi-materials. The finite block method based on the Lagrangian interpolation is introduced and the various mathematical constructs are examined. This includes the use of the mapping technique. In a one-dimensional and a two-dimensional case, numerical studies were performed in order to determine the interpolation error. The finite block method in both the Cartesian coordinate and the polar coordinate systems is developed to evaluate the stress intensity factors and the T-stress for interface cracks between bi-materials. Using the William's series for bi-material, an expression for approximating the stress and displacement at the interface crack tip is established. In order to capture accurately the stress intensity factors and the T-stress at the crack tip, the asymptotic expansions of the stress and displacement around the crack tip are introduced with a singular core technique. The accuracy and capability of the finite block method in evaluating interface cracks is demonstrated by several numerical assessments. In all cases, comparisons have been made with numerical solutions by using the boundary collocation method, the finite element method and the boundary element method, etc.

<p>The properties and microstructure of Ti-5Al-5V-5Mo-3Cr were characterized under various stress states after the following heat treatments: 1) annealing above the β transus, followed by cooling at various rates and ageing for different times; 2) solution heat treatment in the α-β range, fan-cooling and ageing for various temperatures and times.</p> <p>Heat treatment above the ptransus temperature causes complete recrystallization of the as-forged microstructure. The as-cooled microstructure consists of equiaxed β grains with an average grain size of 200μm. Water quenching from above the β transus results in precipitation of a dispersion of nano-sized ω phase; while the fan-cooled microstructure contains nano-sized ω and α precipitates. Ageing of the fan-cooled microstructure at 790°C or 600°C precipitates sub micron acicular α throughout the β grains. The tensile properties of this condition could not be determined using standard tensile specimens due to brittle failure at the grips.</p> <p>Controlled cooling from above the β transus to the ageing temperature at slower rates produces a coarser α+β microstructure. Acicular α laths are produced with cooling rates of 1°C/min, while lamellar α develops at cooling rates of 3.4°C/min. The β annealed and fan-cooled condition is characterized by relatively low strength (~850MPa) and low ductility (~6% elong.).The fracture mode is by intensely localized slip and the creation of transgranular cracks. Localization of slip is attributed to shearing of the nano-scale ω precipitates by dislocations. A linear relationship between the grain size, d⁻¹/² , and the yield and fracture stresses was established, as described by the Hall-Petch relation. With controlled cooling, the strength and ductility improve by precipitation of lamellar α within the β matrix. Improvements in ductility and strength are achieved by reducing the slip length.</p> <p>Solution heat treatment below the β transus and fan-cooling results in complete dissolution of the as-forged acicular α phase. Solutionizing at 50°C below the ptransus yields a volume fraction of 16.5% primary α in a matrix of retained β. Low angle grain boundaries and globular primary α, each measuring 2-4μm average in diameter, are uniformly distributed throughout the retained β matrix. The tensile strength in this condition is relatively low, i.e. (900MPa) and the ductility relatively high (~16% elong.). With ageing in the 500°C to 600°C temperature range, precipitation of α within the retained β begins within 5 minutes of the start of ageing. Precipitating is heterogeneously nucleated at dislocations and grain boundaries. The yield and ultimate tensile strengths reach values of roughly 1200 and 1300MPa, respectively, and remain relatively constant for up 48 hours ageing</p> <p> The fracture stresses for the solution treated condition and for material subsequently aged at 500°C and 600°C are quite similar in magnitude. This similarity is due to the fact that the fracture mechanism, which controls the fracture stress, is the same for all these conditions. The fracture mechanism for all the solution treated conditions begins with shear decohesion of the primary α/β interfaces.</p> <p>For each condition, the damage mechanisms and final fracture modes were evaluated and rationalized on the basis of microstructural features. The yield and fracture stresses for the various conditions were calculated and plotted on a two-principal stress axis coordinate system, thus creating the failure envelope for Ti-5553. For the β annealed and fan cooled and for the α-β solution heat treated and aged conditions the yield and fracture envelopes are two concentric ellipses in good agreement with the shear strain energy (van Mises) model for failure.</p> <p>The fracture toughness and stress corrosion cracking behaviour for the STA condition were evaluated and compared against other β titanium alloys.</p> / Thesis / Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

<p>Long-term stability and chromium (Cr) contamination are two major concerns for application of chromium-bearing metallic materials as interconnects of solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) at intermediate temperature (~800°C). Copper-manganese (Cu-Mn) and cobalt-manganese (Co-Mn) spinel can be promising coating materials for the metallic interconnects as they show high electrical conductivities. The first objective of this research is to develop an economical and convenient method through which the spinel coatings can be applied to the metallic substrates. The investigations on the crystal structure of CuᵪMn₃₋ᵪO₄ spinel, e.g., structure symmetry and cation distributions, have always been controversial, which hinders the total understanding of the detailed structure of the material. In order to resolve the inconsistency, in-situ neutron and X-ray diffraction were employed to determine the structure of the spinel.</p> <p>A novel method was developed to obtain high quality manganese coating without any additives (sulphur or selenium compounds). Cu-Mn and Co-Mn spinel coatings were applied to metallic coupons by electrodeposition and subsequent annealing. The method is convenient and easy to control. The performance testing showed that the area specific resistances (ASRs) of the coated samples (0.003 Ω•cm²) are much lower than that of the uncoated UNS 430 (0.189 Ω•cm²) after oxidation at 750°C for 1500 hours. Moreover, both spinel coatings can effectively suppress the outward diffusion of Cr, which resulted in reduction of Cr contamination significantly. The oxidation studies of Cu-Mn coating revealed the transformation mechanisms of Cu-Mn coating to the spinel. In-situ neutron and X-ray diffraction analysis clarified the crystal symmetry of CuᵪMn₃₋ᵪO₄ spinel and CuMnO₂ at high temperatures. Rietveld refinement revealed the cation distribution of Cu and Mn ions on tetrahedral and octrahedral sites of CuᵪMn₃₋ᵪO₄ spinel, which was compared to values in the literatures. / Thesis / Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Die Schriftenreihe „Werkstoffe und werkstofftechnische Anwendungen“ behandelt Themengebiete der Werkstoffwissenschaft und -technik, der Oberflächentechnik sowie deren industriellen Anwendungen. Es werden aktuelle Forschungsergebnisse aus den vier Professuren des Instituts für Werkstoffwissenschaft und Werkstofftechnik der TU Chemnitz vorgestellt: Professur Elektronenmikroskopie und Mikrostrukturanalytik, Professur Verbundwerkstoffe und Werkstoffverbunde, Professur Werkstoff- und Oberflächentechnik, Professur Werkstoffwissenschaft. Weiterhin sind in der Schriftenreihe die Tagungsbände des jährlich am Institut stattfindenden „Werkstofftechnischen Kolloquium“ enthalten. Die einzelnen Bände beschäftigen sich mit den Forschungsgebieten Galvanische Metallabscheidung, Anodisieren, Thermisches und Kaltgas-Spritzen, Löten, Verbundwerkstoffe, Werkstoffverbunde, Wärmebehandlung, CVD-Beschichtungen/PVD-Beschichtungen, Simulation in der Beschichtungstechnik, Organisches Beschichten (Pulverbeschichten, Lackieren, Sol-Gel-Verfahren), Elektrochemisches Strukturieren, Thermomechanische Behandlung und Mechanische Werkstoffeigenschaften. / The book series „Werkstoffe und werkstofftechnische Anwendungen“ outlines up-to-date topics of material science and engineering, surface engineering as well as resulting industrial applications. Mainly, recent research results of the departments Composite Materials and Surface Engineering/Functional Materials of the Institute of Material Science and Engineering of Chemnitz University of Technology are presented. In addition, the book series includes the proceedings of the annual in-house conference “Werkstofftechnisches Kolloquium”. The separate volumes concentrate on the following fields of scientific research: Galvanised Coating, Anodising, Thermal and Cold Spraying, Soldering and Brazing, Composite Materials, Composite Structures, Thermal and Thermomechanical Treatment, CVD and PVD Coating, Simulation of Coating Processes, Organic coating (Powder Coating, Varnishing, Sol-Gel Processes), Electrochemical Structuring and Mechanical Material Properties.